Sustained increase in the use of alcohol-based hand rubs in Finnish long-term care facilities

Abstract

Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) may serve as a reservoir for multi-resistant bacteria. Hand disinfection with alcohol-based rubs is a simple tool for controlling cross-contamination between patients and preventing healthcare-associated infections. our aim was to promote the use of alcohol-based hand rubs. The multidisciplinary team succeeded in promoting hand hygiene in LTCFs, which was sustained over the three-year follow-up.